The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28
A STORY OF THE WAR.
A Federal Colonel and the Dang hteR
OF Man He Had Nlniu.

Edgefeld Is. c. special: The
death Of Col. W. r. Smith, which
took place in New York a few weeks
since, has brought to light a very
remarkable incident. Miss Rhett
Myron, the principal figure in the
drama, is a personal friend Of your
correspondent, and from her the
following facts have been obtained,
with permission for their publica.
ton.
Hayne Myron, the father OF this
young lady, was planter in South
Carolina. His home was o typical
Southern home, spacious and hos
pitable, surrounded by broad acres
and faithful slaves. His family con
sisted Of his wife and Rhett, who
was then little child, and the idol
OF her father, as we'll as the pet Of
the plantation. At the breading
out OF the war, in the fall OF 1861,
Hayne Myron Joined volunteer
South Carolina regiment,
Before leaving home he had a
picture of his little girl painted iu
miniature and incased il in locket
that he placed next to his heart,
saying, MY darling, this will be
papa's shield when he is in danger,
and his sunshine when he rests :
and with eyes filed with tears he
smothered the face and sunny head
OF his child with farewell kisses, and
hurried away from his peaceful home
out to the world OF danger. Six
months later, in q skirmish in Vir-
ginia, Hayne Myron was killed, in
close combat, by Federal officer.
Only few words were sent to the
old home to tell the sad story.
During Gen. Sherman's inva-
sion into South Carolina, the Myron
homestead was destroyed. The
widow and daughter continued to
live on the plantation in an out
building, supported by the rents from
the lands. Two years ago Mrs. My.
ron died, and through the influence
of friends, Miss Myron obtained u
position NJ governcss in the family
of Col. W. II. Smith, of New York.
She stated 10 me that her FIRST meet.
ing with Col, Smith was peculiar
That when his vile introduced her
to him, saying, This il our new
poverness from South Carolina, Miss
Rhett Myron," his face became
deadly whit, aud he gave n sudden
starr. (He was absent from HON,
when Mrs. Smith engaged herr IA,
mechanically shook hands with hei
and tried TO speak, but his lip,
seemed sealed. But later his man,
ner changed to kindness and cordial
ity, and she was treated more as aI
honored cues. than ss,sIied teach
or. lie insisted on paying hor iou
times the amour, she charged for he
services, aud made her duties liz Il
Ooe evening she was sitting in th,
family circle, telling OF her pas
lie down in South Carolins
OF thu spacious house will
its twenty columns, oi tn
dusky slaves, who used TO sit her OF
their shoulders, calling her tbci
little queen ~ they carried he
through the cotton fields hat looked
like seas Of snow foam. For the FRS
time she spike a their father, how
handsome and sad he looked ~ h.
went away on that dreadful last day
how he took her picture with bin
aud told all he said. She states tina
she was forced 10 stop in the mids
Of her words, for Col. Smith turpe
CHASTITY pale and left the room. 81
all seemed strange 20 me then" sh
said, but the meaning IN plain now.
Miss Myron continued 10 live wit
Col. Smiths family for two years
TWAS a haven aud home to me,
she said, IL had 80 long toilcd AM
worked on our plantation, isolate,
from society aud all advantages, !
was like fairy life had opened 3
me OF ease and luxury, but my hear
was almost breaking. as ! rcmom
bored all that had lost in those sa
sweet days.
Six weeks ago Col. Smith wa
taken suddenly III, and when he re
allied that death was inevitable h
expressed desire 10 see Miss Myro
alone. She statos that as she noare,
the bed Of the dying man, she sa,
him holding something oonvulsigol
in one hand, a. he extended Oh
other 10 her and exclaimed: "Rhet
Myrop, forgive me before | die
without your pardon ! cannot die
come close and listen 10 what ! hav
TO tell you. Ii was ! who made 20
an orphan, my hands are rcd wit
your fathers blood. Take this, b
said, handing mo the package. "
found IL on his dying breast, IL
your face; your name and his nam
are upon il. Take IL and forgive on
who has tried 10 oxpatiate Oh
wrongs done you. Oh, can you ioI
give dying mani" aud the voice be
came faint and low. "0b, sir, 20
both were soldiers; freely forgive,
aud the poor girl, who could say q
more, fell unconscious upon Oh
floor. Thank God, he murmure'
aud all was over
Whom Rhett Myron recovered, III
man who had killed her father, an
who was later the best friend III
ever knew. was dead. In his will D
bequeaihed 20 her the generous sui
Of $4,000. lie also left letter 81,
ing all the particulars OF her father
death. -